The Bobcats had the second-best odds of landing the top pick at 19.9 percent behind only Orlando at 25 percent. The Cavaliers, who had a 15.6 percent chance of winning, landed the No. 1 pick for the second time in three seasons.

Bobcats president of basketball operations Rod Higgins said despite the team's recent bad luck, he's not feeling like the organization is snake-bitten when it comes to the lottery.

Charlotte has never selected No. 1 overall.

"Sometimes you wish for something and it doesn't always have to pan out for you," Higgins said. "Our work is cut out for us. That's the way it goes."

This year's "loss" isn't nearly as gut-wrenching as a year ago when the Bobcats, coming off the worst season in NBA history at 7-59, failed to land the rights to the top pick and franchise center Anthony Davis from Kentucky.

Unlike 2012, there isn't a consensus No. 1 pick like Davis in the draft, which should make this a little easier for the Bobcats' brass to swallow.

Higgins said the team is likely to work out six or seven players before the June 27 draft.

General manager Rich Cho said the Bobcats need big men, shooting guards and overall depth. As for the No. 4 pick, Cho said the team will consider trade options — both moving up and down — and will take the best player available regardless of who's already on the current roster.

"My philosophy has always been draft talent and trade for need," Cho said.

Higgins didn't shed much light on the ongoing coaching search, saying only that the Bobcats have talked to "quite a few" candidates and plan to talk with "quite a few more" in the coming weeks.